Pressure based volume sensor for liquid receptacle

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein are various techniques and devices for detecting a level of fluid within a fluid collection receptacle. These techniques and devices may further determine a flow rate of fluid entering the fluid collection receptacle or a volume of fluid collected within the fluid collection receptacle. Sensors, including pressure sensors, may be installed in, on, or within the fluid collection receptacle to detect information about the liquid within the receptacle including fluid level, flow rate, and volume.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/857,955, filed on Jun. 6, 2019. U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/857,955 is incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

This disclosure relates generally to a liquid level sensor for detectingan amount of liquid in a liquid receptacle. In one embodiment, a liquidlevel sensor may obtain sensor data by detecting a level of milk in amilk bottle and using that sensor data to determine an amount of milk orvolume of milk within the bottle. Sensors may be disposed within thereceptacle and continuously monitor a liquid level within the receptacleand provide updated sensor data reflecting an increased liquid level.

Description of the Related Art

Receptacles for fluid storage and collection have existed sinceantiquity. More recently, some receptacles have been marked withgraduated measurement indicators. Beakers, metal jars, measuring cups,pitchers, and a host of other fluid storage and collection receptacleshave been marked with graduated measurement indicators to show how muchfluid is contained within the receptacle. The graduated measurementindicators may be marked on the fluid storage and collection receptaclesbased on mathematical volumetric calculations to accurately reflect anamount of fluid within the fluid storage and collection receptacles. Inother words, various indicators may be marked on the side of a fluidstorage and collection receptacle to accurately measure a fluid levelwithin the receptacle. For example, the receptacle may includeindicators that show one ounce, two ounces, three ounces, etc., whichwhen compared to a fluid level within the receptacle shows a person howmuch liquid, in fluidic measurements, is contained within thereceptacle.

While these graduated indicators are helpful, their usefulness issomewhat limited. For example, in fluid collection receptacles,graduated indicators provide no indication of flow rate, e.g., how muchfluid is collected per time unit. In situations where fluid collectionis a slow process, a person may lose interest or be unable to monitor aflow rate due to the amount of time necessary to obtain a flow rate.Another weakness of graduated indicators is that graduated indicatorsare only helpful if the receptacle is in an area where it can be easilyseen by a person. Thus, in applications where the fluid collectionreceptacle is hidden or not readily visually accessible, graduatedindicators provide a person with no useful information about the volumeof liquid collected within the collection receptacle.

One specific situation where graduated indicators are of limitedusefulness is in nursing an infant or breast pumping. Typical breastpumps include a bottle that collects milk as it is pumped. However, inmany situations, it may be inconvenient for a mother to access a bottleduring pumping. For example, since a bottle is usually connected to abreast pump which is, in turn, connected to the mother's breast, it maybe difficult for a mother to accurately see how much milk has beencollected within the milk receptacle. Similarly, when a mother ispumping from both breasts, it may be difficult for a mother toaccurately assess how much milk has been produced over a certain amountof time from each breast using nothing more than graduated indicatorsand a stopwatch.

Different sensor technologies have different advantages and drawbacks.For example, some types of sensors, especially in liquid receptaclesassociated with breast pumps, can, at times, be less accurate due tomovement of the liquid receptacles during milk collection. The termsliquid receptacle and bottle may be used interchangeably. An angle oftilt of a bottle, for example, can reduce accuracy of many types ofprior art sensors.

It is therefore one object of this disclosure to provide a flow rate andvolume sensor system and apparatus that produces accurate results undervarious conditions in various environments. It is a further object ofthis disclosure to provide a fluid receptacle that includes one or moresensors associated with the liquid receptacle. Another object of thisdisclosure is to provide a sensor to sense a fluid level within a fluidreceptacle and to sense a flow rate for fluid entering the receptacle.Another object of this disclosure is to provide a fluid receptacle whichcontains one or more sensors to accurately sense a fluid level withinthe fluid receptacle and sense a flow rate for milk entering thereceptacle.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein a liquid receptacle which includes a bottle and apressure sensor element. The bottle includes a top and a bottom. Thebottom of the bottle includes a hole which extends through a bottom ofthe bottle. The pressure sensor element may be disposed within a bottomof the bottle. The pressure sensor element may include a membrane thatseals the hole which extends through a bottom of the bottle.

Further disclosed herein is a system, the system may include a flange, amanifold, a liquid receptacle, and a pressure sensor element. Themanifold may be connectable to the flange and include a connector. Theconnector may connect to the liquid receptacle. The liquid receptaclemay include a hole which extends through a bottom of the liquidreceptacle. The pressure sensor element may be disposed in a bottom of aliquid receptacle and include a membrane that seals the hole whichextends through a bottom of the liquid receptacle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate one or more embodiments of a fluidcollection receptacle which includes one or more sensors for accuratelyassessing both a flow rate and amount of milk contained within the fluidcollection receptacle.

FIG. 1 illustrates breast pump including a fluid collection receptacleand one or more sensors.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the fluid collection receptacleincluding one or more sensors.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective exploded view of the fluid collectionreceptacle including one or more sensors.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross sectional view of one embodiment of a fluidcollection receptacle including one or more sensors.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a fluid collection receptacleincluding one or more sensors.

FIG. 6A illustrates a top perspective view of an embodiment of amembrane associated with the fluid collection receptacle.

FIG. 6B illustrates a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of amembrane associated with the fluid collection receptacle.

FIG. 7A illustrates an embodiment of a tortuous path within a fluidcollection receptacle including one or more sensors.

FIG. 7B illustrates an alternative embodiment of a tortuous path withina fluid collection receptacle including one or more sensors.

FIG. 7C illustrates an alternative embodiment of a tortuous path withina fluid collection receptacle including one or more sensors.

FIG. 7D illustrates an alternative embodiment of a tortuous path withina fluid collection receptacle including one or more sensors.

FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a tortuous path within afluid collection receptacle including one or more sensors.

FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a tortuous path within afluid collection receptacle including one or more sensors, whichincludes an initial pressure-controlling chamber.

FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a tortuous path withina fluid collection receptacle including one or more sensors.

FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a fluid collectionreceptacle implementing an access valve and a tortuous path andincluding one or more sensors.

FIG. 12A illustrates an access valve associated with the fluidcollection receptacle including one or more sensors in a closedconfiguration.

FIG. 12B illustrates an access valve associated with the fluidcollection receptacle including one or more sensors in an openconfiguration.

FIG. 12C illustrates an access valve associated with the fluidcollection receptacle including one or more sensors in an openconfiguration when the receptacle contains a liquid.

FIG. 12D illustrates an access valve associated with the fluidcollection receptacle including one or more sensors in a closedconfiguration when the receptacle contains a liquid.

FIG. 13A illustrates a fluid collection receptacle including a diffuser.

FIG. 13B illustrates a top view of the diffuser.

FIG. 14A illustrates a cross sectional view of a breast pump includingfluid collection receptacle with a removable diffuser.

FIG. 14B illustrates a perspective view of the removable diffuser withinstalled valve.

FIG. 15 illustrates fluid collection receptacle having a diffuser at abottom of the fluid collection receptacle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, for purposes of explanation and notlimitation, specific techniques and embodiments are set forth, such asparticular techniques and configurations, in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the device disclosed herein. While the techniques andembodiments will primarily be described in context with the accompanyingdrawings, those skilled in the art will further appreciate that thetechniques and embodiments may also be practiced in other similardevices.

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments,examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whereverpossible, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings torefer to the same or like parts. It is further noted that elementsdisclosed with respect to particular embodiments are not restricted toonly those embodiments in which they are described. For example, anelement described in reference to one embodiment or figure, may bealternatively included in another embodiment or figure regardless ofwhether or not those elements are shown or described in anotherembodiment or figure. In other words, elements in the figures may beinterchangeable between various embodiments disclosed herein, whethershown or not.

FIG. 1 illustrates a breast pump 100 including a fluid collectionreceptacle 120 and one or more sensors 135. Breast pump 100 may includea flange 105 which may be removable from manifold 110. Manifold 110 mayhouse a number of elements, which are not shown in FIG. 1, includingcomputer hardware, one or more processors, various types of memory(static, dynamic, flash, etc.), receivers, transmitters, antennas,various sensors, a vacuum pump, and other elements that make breast pump100 capable of interacting with, for example, a mobile device, such as amobile phone. A vacuum pump, not shown, may also be a component that isexternal to breast pump 100 and may connect to breast pump 100. Manifold110 may further include a connector 115 for attaching liquid receptacle120 to manifold 110. Connector 115 may use any appropriate mechanism,including male and female threads, for connecting manifold 110 to liquidreceptacle 120.

Liquid receptacle 120 may also be implemented as a bottle and be made ofany suitable material including various types of plastics. Liquidreceptacle 120 may include a bottom 130 which includes a hole in which amembrane 125 may be positioned. Membrane 125 may be used to sense anamount of pressure within liquid receptacle 120 that corresponds to anamount of fluid within liquid receptacle 120. As will be discussedbelow, the amount of pressure exerted on membrane 125, which is anon-permeable membrane, may be transferred into a pressure sensorcomponent, not shown, housed in an enclosure 135 for detecting an amountof fluid within receptacle 120. Pressure sensor enclosure 135 mayfurther contain electrical components, such as a pressure sensor, aprocessor, batteries, and other electrical components suitable tooperate pressure sensor component 135, such as those described abovewith respect to manifold 110. Liquid receptacle 120 may extend past abottom 130 of liquid receptacle 120 to provide a threaded connection topressure sensor component 135. Pressure sensor enclosure 135 may furtherinclude corresponding threads to mate with liquid receptacle 120. Breastpump 100 may further include a base 140 which may be connected topressure sensor component housed within 135, or which may be a separateindividual element. Base 140 attaches to breast pump 100 and allowsbreast pump 100 to stand upright.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the fluid collection receptacle200, which is similar in implementation and description to fluidcollection receptacle 120, shown in FIG. 1, and including one or moresensors within pressure sensor component 230, which are similar inimplementation and description to pressure sensor component 135, shownin FIG. 1. Fluid collection receptacle 200 includes a bottle 205. Bottle205 may include a bottom 210 which may be sloped, or funneled, downwardstowards a hole 215 at the lowest point of the slope of bottom 210. Inthis manner, liquid contained within bottle 205 may be directeddownwards by gravity towards hole 215. Bottle 205 may extend past bottom210 and provide a threaded connection to pressure sensor component 230.Fluid collection receptacle 200 may further include a membrane 225,which is a non-permeable membrane. Membrane 225 may be installed on atop of pressure sensor component 230 and such that membrane 225 isinstalled on a bottom portion of hole 215. Membrane 225 may seal tobottom 210 to prevent leakage of a liquid from bottle 205 through hole215.

Pressure sensor component 230 may include a pressure sensor connected toa tortuous path, a path through which air may be compressed by pressurecreated by liquid within bottle 205. The pressure sensor, which will bediscussed in more detail below, may detect an increase in pressurecaused by liquid within bottle 205 and communicate data representativeof the pressure and pressure increase to a processor contained withinpressure sensor component 230. Pressure sensor component 230 may alsoinclude a battery for providing power to pressure sensor component 230.The battery may be connected to a power port 235, which may be a USB,mini-usb, micro-usb, or any other similar connection known in the art.Alternatively, charging may accomplished wirelessly. Power port 235 maybe an access point where pressure sensor component 230 may receive andtransmit both power and information, such as pressure information,liquid volume information, or any other information generated withinbreast pump 100 and liquid receptacle 200.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective exploded view of the fluid collectionreceptacle 300 including one or more sensors. Fluid collectionreceptacle 300 may be implemented in a manner similar to fluidcollection receptacle 200 shown in FIG. 2 and fluid collectionreceptacle 100, shown in FIG. 1. Fluid collection receptacle 300 mayinclude a bottle 305 which includes a bottom 310 which slopes down, orfunnels, to a hole 315 in bottom 310. A membrane (such as membrane 225,shown in FIG. 2 but not visible in FIG. 3 due to perspective) may bedisposed in hole 315 which seals to bottom 310 and prevents liquidwithin bottle 305 from leaking through hole 315.

FIG. 3 includes a pressure sensor component 320 which is similar inimplementation and description to pressure sensor component 135, shownin FIG. 1 and pressure sensor component 230, shown in FIG. 2, mayinclude a processor 325, a plurality of sensors 330, and a battery 335.Sensors 330 may be a pressure sensor, an accelerometer to detect a tiltangle of bottle 305, and a temperature sensor to detect a temperature ofbottle 305 or surrounding area. Sensors 330 may communicate data toprocessor 325 such that processor 325 may determine an amount of liquidwithin bottle 305. For example, processor 325 may receive informationrepresentative of a condition in which bottle 305 is disposed at anangle at a certain pressure and, based on this information, calculate avolume of liquid within bottle 305. Similarly, processor 325 may receiveinformation representative of a condition in which bottle 305 is at aparticular temperature and has a certain pressure and, based on thisinformation, calculate a volume of liquid within bottle 305. Likewise,processor 325 may receive information representative of a condition inwhich bottle 305 is disposed at a particular angle, has a certaintemperature, and a certain pressure and, based on this information,calculate a volume of liquid within bottle 305. It is also possible thatprocessor 325 may calculate a volume of liquid within bottle 305 basedon pressure data from the pressure sensor of sensors 330. Processor 325may further determine a flow rate of fluid entering the fluid collectionbased on pressure data from the pressure sensor.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross sectional view of one embodiment of a fluidcollection receptacle 400 including one or more sensors. Fluidcollection receptacle 400 is implemented as a closed system, which meansthat a membrane, such as those previously discussed, form a barrierbetween liquid within bottle 405 and an air chamber above the sensor, aswill be discussed below. It is also possible to implement a directcontact system, which means that the membrane has a hole in the centerso there is no physical barrier between liquid within bottle 405 and anair chamber above the sensor, as will be discussed relative to otherembodiments. It should also be noted that a membrane is optional in bothclosed systems and direct contact systems. For example, a sensorenclosure or a bottom of a bottle with a co-molded gasket may providesealing and flexible features of the membrane in lieu of the membrane.

Bottle 405 may be similar in implementation and description to liquidcollection receptacle 120 shown in FIG. 1, bottle 205 shown in FIG. 2,and bottle 305 shown in FIG. 3. Bottle 405 provides additional interiordetail of a closed system for a pressure based sensor. Bottle 405includes a bottom 410 which slopes downwards, or funnels, to a hole in acentral portion of bottom 410 and a membrane 420 which covers the holein bottom 410. Membrane 420 includes a membrane element 415 which isflexible plastic material and seals an air chamber 425 from bottom 410and liquid contained therein. Membrane element 415 may be constructedfrom flexible plastic material and secure an IPX 70 rated membrane tobottom 410 of body 405. Or, alternatively, membrane element 415 may beprovided as a tube which allows air in air chamber 425 to beunconstrained and expand freely. Membrane element 415 secures membrane410 in place while also providing a seal to a bottom 410 of bottle 405.

Pressure sensor 430, in this embodiment, may be implemented within airchamber 425 such that differences in pressure within air chamber as aresult of liquid pushing on membrane 420 may be detected by pressuresensor 430. Other elements, which are not shown in FIG. 4 such as aprocessor, temperature sensors, accelerometers, and batteries, may beused to determine, based on data received from any of these sensors, avolume of liquid within bottle 405.

Without closed membrane 415, air in air chamber 425 may come intocontact with liquid in bottle 405. In this embodiment, a temperaturesensor detects that the air in air chamber 425 and liquid in bottle 405have the same temperature and pressure shifts due to liquid temperatureare negligible to determining a volume of liquid within bottle 405. Asliquid fills bottle 405, air in air chamber 425 may be trapped withinair chamber 425 and become increasingly pressurized as the volume ofliquid increases within bottle 405. Pressure sensor 430 may detect thesepressure increases and provide pressure data to a processor to determinea volume of liquid within bottle 405.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a fluid collection receptacle500 including one or more sensors. For example, fluid collectionreceptacle 500 includes a bottle 505 which includes a bottom 510 whichis sloped downwards, in a funnel shape, to a hole 515 in bottom 510.Hole 515 leads to a spiraling tortuous path 520. As fluid enterstortuous path 520 a, fluid pushes on air within air chamber 530 via anopening 520 b at an end of tortuous path 520 a. Since air chamber 530 issealed by membrane element 525, pressure within air chamber 530increases as more and more liquid is contained within bottle 505.

Membrane 525 includes a valve 535 which prevents liquid from pushinginto air chamber 530 and into air tube 540. A mechanical activator 545opens the valve during insertion, connecting the air chamber under theliquid receptacle to the air tube. However, valve 535 allows air to passthrough valve 535 and down into pressure sensor 550. Pressure sensor 550may detect these pressure changes and communicate pressure informationto a processor for determining an amount of volume contained withinbottle 505. Batteries, temperature sensors, and accelerometer sensorsmay also be included but are not shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 6A illustrates a top perspective view of an embodiment of amembrane 600 (such as 525 in FIG. 5) associated with a fluid collectionreceptacle, such as fluid collection receptacles discussed herein.Membrane 600 may include a membrane element 605 which is constructedfrom a flexible plastic. Membrane element 605 may include a cylindricalprotrusion 610 about an external portion of which provides a spiralingtortuous path that provides access through a hole 620 into an airchamber within cylindrical protrusion 610. Within cylindrical protrusion610, a valve 615 may be installed which prevents liquid from passingthrough and into a pressure sensor, as described above. Membrane element605 may be used to close a hole in a bottom of a bottle and alsoprovides advantages in cleanability when membrane element 605 isseparable from the bottle and the pressure sensor component (as shown inFIG. 2). Membrane element 605 may also be implemented through a simplemanufacturing process because membrane element 605 may be separated fromother rigid elements in the breast pump.

FIG. 6B illustrates a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of amembrane 600 associated with the fluid collection receptacle. Membrane600 is shown in FIG. 6B as an underside of membrane 600 shown in FIG.6A. Membrane 600 includes a membrane element 605. Membrane element 605may be constructed from a flexible plastic. Installed in the flexibleplastic are a one or more gaskets such as gasket 620 and gasket 625.Gasket 620 and gasket 625 seal membrane 600 to, for example, a pressuresensor component, such as pressure sensor component 230, shown in FIG.2. Membrane element 605 further includes a view of valve 630 whichprevents liquid from passing through the valve and into a pressuresensor, as described above. Valve 630 allows only air to pass into anair tube, such as air tube 540, shown in FIG. 5, as a bottle receivesmore and more fluid.

FIG. 7A illustrates an embodiment of a tortuous path 720 within a fluidcollection receptacle 700 including one or more sensors in a pressuresensor component 705. Pressure sensor component 705 may be similar inimplementation and description to other pressure sensor componentsdisclosed herein. Further, pressure sensor component 705 as shown inFIGS. 7A-7D is shown only to highlight one embodiment of a tortuous path720 that may be used in connection with other disclosure presentedherein. Tortuous path 720 is intended to be a series of switchbacks orsnake-like set of turns to force liquid to fight gravity (e.g., withupward turns or with 180 degree turns). The tortuous path may beimplemented in a bottle, in a membrane, or between an interface of thebottle and membrane.

Tortuous path 720 shown in FIG. 7A may be a partial right angle snakepath. For example, tortuous path 720 may include one or more lowerhorizontal portions 710 which are connected to a vertical element 715a/715 b by right angles. Tortuous path 720 may further include one ormore upper horizontal portions 715 c which connect to vertical elements715 a/715 b at right angles. Tortuous path 720 may be implemented with aplurality of lower horizontal portions 710, a plurality of upperhorizontal portions 710, and a plurality of vertical portions 715 a/715b. Liquid received into tortuous path 720 may have a tortuous route topass through, requiring increasingly more and more pressure to compressair within tortuous path 720. Tortuous path 720 may include an output725.

FIG. 7B illustrates an alternative embodiment of a tortuous path 720within a fluid collection receptacle 700 including one or more sensorsin a pressure sensor component 705. Tortuous path 720 may be termed afull right angle snake path, essentially completing a full circle of thepartial right angle snake path illustrated in FIG. 7B. For example,tortuous path 720 may include one or more lower horizontal portions 710which are connected to a vertical element 715 a/715 b by right angles.Tortuous path 720 may further include one or more upper horizontalportions 715 c which connect to vertical elements 715 a/715 b at rightangles. Tortuous path 720 may be implemented with a plurality of lowerhorizontal portions 710, a plurality of upper horizontal portions 710,and a plurality of vertical portions 715 a/715 b. Liquid received intotortuous path 720 may have a tortuous route to pass through, requiringincreasingly more and more pressure to compress air within tortuous path720. Tortuous path 720 may include an output 725. As shown in FIG. 7B, afull 360 degree circle is created for tortuous path 720.

FIG. 7C illustrates an alternative embodiment of a tortuous path 720within a fluid collection receptacle 700 including one or more sensorsin a pressure sensor component 705. FIG. 7C illustrates a dual spiraltortuous path 720 that spirals down and then up. For example, as liquidenters tortuous path 720, the liquid is forced down through spiral 710(shown in cross section) and back up through spiral 710 into an output715 into air chamber 725. As air pressure builds up in air pressurechamber 725, air is compressed within tube 730 and detected by apressure sensor.

FIG. 7D illustrates an alternative embodiment of a tortuous path 720within a fluid collection receptacle 700 including one or more sensorsin a pressure sensor component 705. Tortuous path 720 includes a spiral710 which may be termed a spiral down embodiment. Spiral 710 may proceeddownward in a plurality of rings 715 to an output 725.

FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a tortuous path 820within a fluid collection receptacle 800 including one or more sensors.Fluid collection receptacle 800 may be similar to other fluid collectionreceptacles and bottles disclosed herein. As shown in FIG. 8, a fluidcollection receptacle 800 includes a bottle 805. Bottle 805 includes abottom 810 which slopes downwardly in a funnel-like manner, to anentrance to tortuous path 820. Tortuous path 820 is created by aninterface between a membrane 815 and bottle 805 with an output 825 intoan air chamber 835. A partial right angle snake 830 is installed withintortuous path 820 and within membrane 815 or is created between membrane815 and bottle 805. Fluid collection receptacle 800 may implement theembodiment shown in FIG. 8 with sensors, batteries, processors, and withany other embodiment disclosed herein.

FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a tortuous path 925within a fluid collection receptacle 900 including one or more sensorswhich includes an initial pressure-controlling chamber. As shown in FIG.9, fluid collection receptacle 900 includes a bottle 905. Bottle 905 hasa bottom that is formed with a downward slope, like a funnel, to causefluid within bottle 905 to flow towards hole 915. Hole 915 may be openand not include a membrane in this embodiment. Hole 915 opens to asupercharger 920 which has a larger inner diameter than tortuous path925 which connects to supercharger 920. Supercharger 920 is an initialpressure controlling chamber that allows liquid draining intosupercharger 920 to initiate the beginning of a pressure increase withintortuous path 925. Supercharger 920 may be used with direct contactsystems. However, since direct contact systems are without a membrane,liquid may fall into the tortuous path 925 when bottle 905 initiallyfills with liquid which can cause unpredictable pressure spikes.Supercharger 920 controls an amount of liquid that contributes to theunpredictable pressure spikes to lessen this effect or, alternatively,allow a processor to detect that a fluid has started to enter bottle905. Supercharger 920 may be implemented in a membrane element or inbottle 905.

As liquid within supercharger 920 attempts to drain into tortuous path925, air within tortuous path 925 pushes back against the liquid,increasing pressure within tortuous path 925. Supercharger 920 andtortuous path 925 may be positioned in a straight line to a pressuresensor 930 which detects pressure increases in tortuous path 925 as moreand more liquid is collected by bottle 905. An O-ring 935 may be fittedbetween a pressure sensor component and a bottom of bottle 905 to ensurethat an air-tight seal is formed between bottle 905 and a pressuresensor component. O-ring 935 may also be implemented as a co-moldedgasket that is implemented on the pressure sensor component.

FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a tortuous path 1025within a fluid collection receptacle 1000 including one or more sensors.As shown in FIG. 10, fluid collection receptacle 1000 includes a bottle1005. Bottle 1005 has a bottom that is formed with a downward slope,like a funnel, to cause fluid within bottle 1005 to flow towards hole1015. Hole 1015 may be open and not include a membrane in thisembodiment. Hole 1015 opens to a supercharger 1020 which has a largerinner diameter than tortuous path 1025 which connects to supercharger1020. Supercharger 1020 is an initial pressure controlling chamber thatallows liquid draining into supercharger 1020 to initiate the beginningof a steep pressure increase within tortuous path 1025. As liquid withinsupercharger 1020 attempts to drain into tortuous path 1025, air withintortuous path 1025 pushes back against the liquid, increasing pressurewithin tortuous path 1025. As shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of arrowsillustrate the flow and direction of flow of air and/or liquid in thetortuous path, as will be described below. Supercharger 1020 andtortuous path 1025 may be include an upward bend 1035 which forcesliquid that may drain into tortuous path 1025 to go up, against gravityand against pressure created within fluid collection receptacle 1000. Inthis embodiment, tortuous path 1025 may include another bend at O-ring1030 which may drain into a straight portion downward portion 1040 oftortuous path 1025 and into pressure sensor 1045. Arrows associated withtortuous path 1025 show an intended direction of flow relative to fluidcollection receptacle 1000. Because any liquid within bottle 1005 isforced to fight gravity and pressure, it is less likely that liquid canget to the sensor.

An O-ring 1030 may be fitted between a pressure sensor component and abottom of bottle 1005 to ensure that an air-tight seal is formed betweenbottle 1005 and a pressure sensor component. O-ring 1035 may also beimplemented as a co-molded gasket that is implemented on the pressuresensor component.

FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a fluid collectionreceptacle 1100 implementing an access valve 1125 and a tortuous path1135 and including one or more sensors. As shown in FIG. 11, fluidcollection receptacle 1100 includes a bottle 1105. Bottle 1105 has abottom that is formed with a downward slope, like a funnel, to causefluid within bottle 1105 to flow towards hole 1115. Hole 1115 may beopen to a tortuous path 1135 installed within a membrane element 1120.Tortuous path 1135 may be a right angle snake path and outlet into airchamber 1130 where access valve 1125 provides an opening for air andliquid to selectively pass through air chamber 1130 into a secondtortuous path 1150 which provides access to a pressure sensor within asensor element, a top of which is illustrated as element 1145. Accessvalve 1125 may be selectively opened and closed by a mechanicalactivator 1140, which will be discussed in more detail below.

As shown in FIG. 11, as liquid fills bottle 1105, liquid flows throughtortuous path 1135 and into air chamber 1130. When access valve 1125 isactivated by mechanical activator 1140, a pressure sensor at the end ofsecond tortuous path 1150 may detect an amount of pressure within bottle905 and convey that information to a processor which calculates a volumeof fluid within bottle 905.

FIG. 12A illustrates an access valve 1220 associated with a fluidcollection receptacle 1200 including one or more sensors in a closedconfiguration. Access valve 1220 corresponds to access valve 1125,discussed above with respect to FIG. 11, but in additional detail. Aspreviously discussed with respect to FIG. 11, fluid collectionreceptacle 1200 includes a bottle 1205 which includes a bottom 1210which slopes downwardly, like a funnel to provide access to a hole andtortuous path 1215. Tortuous path 1215 may be any tortuous pathdisclosed herein or similar implementation. Tortuous path 1215 outletsat air chamber 1225 within which is disposed access valve 1220. Accessvalve 1220 is implemented as part of the membrane as shown in FIG. 12Abut may be otherwise implemented with an opening 1230 which selectivelyallows air and liquid to flow through valve 1220 depending on whether ornot opening 1230 is opened or closed. Mechanical activator 1235 may beused to selectively open or close opening 1230 of valve 1220, as will bediscussed below. However, in FIG. 12A, opening 1230 is closed.

FIG. 12B illustrates an access valve 1220 in an open position andassociated with a fluid collection receptacle 1200 including one or moresensors. Access valve 1220 corresponds to access valve 1125, discussedabove with respect to FIG. 11, and access valve 1220 discussed abovewith respect to FIG. 12A. As previously discussed with respect to FIG.11, fluid collection receptacle 1200 includes a bottle 1205 whichincludes a bottom 1210 which slopes downwardly, like a funnel to provideaccess to a hole and tortuous path 1215. As shown in FIG. 12B, bottom1210 does not include liquid. Valve 1220 may be opened prior to liquidbeing disposed within bottle 1205. Tortuous path 1215 may be anytortuous path disclosed herein or similar implementation. Tortuous path1215 outlets at air chamber 1225 within which is disposed access valve1220. Access valve 1220 is implemented with an opening 1230 whichselectively allows air to flow through valve 1220 depending on whetheror not opening 1230 is opened or closed. Mechanical activator 1235 maybe used to selectively open or close opening 1230 of valve 1220, as willbe discussed below. In FIG. 12B, mechanical activator 1235 has openedopening 1230 in valve 1220 by forcing mechanical activator 1235 intovalve 1220 such that valve 1230 is forced open. As opening 1230 isopened, an air path is created to a pressure sensor which can detectchanges in pressure within bottle 1205.

FIG. 12C illustrates an access valve 1220 associated with the fluidcollection receptacle 1200 including one or more sensors in an openconfiguration when fluid collection receptacle 1200 contains a liquid.Access valve 1220 corresponds to access valve 1125, discussed above withrespect to FIG. 11, and access valve 1220 discussed above with respectto FIGS. 12A and 12B. As previously discussed with respect to FIG. 11,fluid collection receptacle 1200 includes a bottle 1205 which includes abottom 1210 which slopes downwardly, like a funnel to provide access toa hole and tortuous path 1215. As shown in FIG. 12C, bottom 1210includes liquid. Tortuous path 1215 may be any tortuous path disclosedherein or similar implementation. Tortuous path 1215 outlets at airchamber 1225 within which is disposed access valve 1220. Access valve1220 is implemented with an opening 1230 which selectively allows air toflow through valve 1220 depending on whether or not opening 1230 isopened or closed. Mechanical activator 1235 may be used to selectivelyopen or close opening 1230 of valve 1220. In FIG. 12C, mechanicalactivator 1235 has opened opening 1230 in valve 1220 by forcingmechanical activator 1235 into valve 1220 such that valve 1230 is forcedopen. As opening 1230 is opened, an air path is created to a pressuresensor which can detect changes in pressure within bottle 1205.

FIG. 12D illustrates an access valve 1220 associated with the fluidcollection receptacle 1200 including one or more sensors in a closedwhen fluid collection receptacle 1200 contains a liquid. Access valve1220 corresponds to access valve 1125, discussed above with respect toFIG. 11, and access valve 1220 discussed above with respect to FIGS.12A, 12B, and 12C. As previously discussed with respect to FIG. 11,fluid collection receptacle 1200 includes a bottle 1205 which includes abottom 1210 which slopes downwardly, like a funnel to provide access toa hole and tortuous path 1215. As shown in FIG. 12C, bottom 1210includes liquid. Tortuous path 1215 may be any tortuous path disclosedherein or similar implementation. Tortuous path 1215 outlets at airchamber 1225 within which is disposed access valve 1220. Access valve1220 is implemented with an opening 1230 which selectively allows air toflow through valve 1220 depending on whether or not opening 1230 isopened or closed. Mechanical activator 1235 may be used to selectivelyopen or close opening 1230 of valve 1220. In FIG. 12D, mechanicalactivator 1235 has closed opening 1230 in valve 1220 by removingmechanical activator 1235 from valve 1220 such that valve 1230 returnsto a biased closed position. In this manner air chamber 1225 ismaintained, preventing liquid from entering air chamber 1225 by airpressure but liquid is not allowed to reach the valve.

FIG. 13A illustrates a fluid collection receptacle 1300 including adiffuser 1315. Fluid collection receptacle 1300 includes a bottle 1305.Diffuser 1315 is disposed within the bottle and includes an outer edge1310 within which are a plurality of holes 1320. A center portion ofdiffuser 1315 may be raised to provide a slope, which allows liquiddropping into bottle to be diffused to the outside edge 1310 of thediffuser and pass through one of the plurality of holes 1320 into alower portion of bottle 1305. Diffuser 1315 acts as a passive filter tostabilize pressure readings as measured by the sensing component belowthe liquid receptacle, not shown.

FIG. 13B illustrates a top view of diffuser 1300. As shown in FIG. 13A,diffuser 1300 is disposed in a bottle 1305 and includes an outer edge1310. A center portion 1315 of diffuser 1300 is raised to provide aslope for liquid dropping into the bottle to be diffused to the outsideedge 1310 and pass through one of the plurality of holes 1320 into alower portion of bottle 1305.

FIG. 14A illustrates a cross sectional view of a breast pump 1400including fluid collection receptacle 1415 with a removable diffuser1425. Breast pump 1400 may include a flange 1405, a manifold 1410, and afluid collection receptacle 1415. As shown in FIG. 14A, a diffuser 1425is implemented with a valve 1420. Valve 1430 rests on a top portion ofdiffuser 1420 and may be connected as a friction fitting. Valve 1425 mayallow liquid to pass through valve 1425 as vacuum pressure on breastpump 1400 cycles. Once liquid passes through valve 1425, diffuser 1425is implemented with a plurality of holes 1430 which diffuse the liquidas it passes through into fluid collection receptacle 1415. Diffuser1425 dampens a flow of liquid as it leaves valve 1425 and allows liquidto move less turbulently into fluid collection receptacle 1415. Bydiffusing liquid as it falls into fluid collection receptacle 1415, asupercharger may be filled with liquid before filling fluid collectionreceptacle 1415 which can help limit liquid entering an air chamber anduncontrollable pressure spikes, as discussed above.

FIG. 14B illustrates a perspective view of the removable diffuser 1425with installed valve. Diffuser 1425 may be threaded to engage withmanifold 1410, shown in FIG. 14A on a top end and threaded to engagewith fluid collection receptacle 1415, shown in FIG. 14A on a bottomend. Valve 1420 is installed on diffuser 1420 which selectively allowsmilk to fall into diffuser 1420 and through a plurality of holes 1430.As shown in FIG. 14B, a plurality of holes 1430 are disposed in diffuser1425. However, a single hole may also be implemented depending onimplementation. Further, holes 1430 may be disposed anywhere in thebottom of diffuser 1425, including the center, and may radiate frominside to outside (or center to outside edge).

FIG. 15 illustrates fluid collection receptacle 1500 having a diffuser1515 at a bottom 1510 of the fluid collection receptacle 1500. Aspreviously discussed, fluid collection receptacle 1500 may include abottle 1505 that includes a bottom 1510 which is sloped downwardly, likea funnel, to allow liquid to slope towards a center of bottle 1505. Atthis point, diffuser 1515 may receive liquid through one or more of aplurality of slots 1520 disposed within an outside surface of diffuser1515. The plurality of slots 1520 may be circular or may be oval,rectangular, square, or any other shape and allow liquid to pass from anoutside surface of diffuser 1515 to an inside of the diffuser 1515.Diffuser 1515 may be connected to a supercharger 1525 which is connectedto a tortuous path 1530 using techniques described above to createpressure to be detected by pressure sensor 1535, not shown.

Diffuser 1515 may be disposed at the bottom of bottle 1505 and closer tothe air chamber above pressure sensor 1535. Diffuser 1515 may beintegrated into the bottle or may be a separate individual removableelement to facilitate cleaning. Diffuser 1515 implemented as a separateindividual removable element increases the modularity of the bottle sizeand base components.

The foregoing description has been presented for purposes ofillustration. It is not exhaustive and does not limit the invention tothe precise forms or embodiments disclosed. Modifications andadaptations will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromconsideration of the specification and practice of the disclosedembodiments. For example, components described herein may be removed andother components added without departing from the scope or spirit of theembodiments disclosed herein or the appended claims.

Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromconsideration of the specification and practice of the disclosuredisclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples beconsidered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of theinvention being indicated by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A liquid receptacle, comprising a bottle having atop and a bottom, the bottom including a hole which extends through thebottom of the bottle; and a pressure sensor element disposed in thebottom of the bottle, the pressure sensor element including a membranethat includes a valve and seals the hole which extends through thebottom of the bottle.
 2. The liquid receptacle of claim 1, wherein aninside of the bottom of the bottle includes threads.
 3. The liquidreceptacle of claim 2, wherein an outside of the pressure sensor elementincludes threads corresponding to the threads in the inside of thebottom of the bottle.
 4. The liquid receptacle of claim 1, wherein thepressure sensor element is a base for the bottle.
 5. The liquidreceptacle of claim 1, wherein a pressure sensor is disposed below themembrane and within the pressure sensor element.
 6. The liquidreceptacle of claim 1, wherein a path is disposed below the membrane anda pressure sensor is disposed at an end of the tortuous path within thepressure sensor element.
 7. The liquid receptacle of claim 1, whereinthe membrane is removable from the pressure sensor element.
 8. Theliquid receptacle of claim 1, wherein the membrane includes a holeleading to a path disposed below the membrane.
 9. The liquid receptacleof claim 1, wherein the membrane includes one or more gaskets disposedon a surface of the membrane.
 10. The liquid receptacle of claim 1,wherein the pressure sensor element includes a pressure sensor.
 11. Theliquid receptacle of claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor elementincludes an accelerometer.
 12. The liquid receptacle of claim 1, whereinthe pressure sensor element includes a temperature sensor.
 13. Theliquid receptacle of claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor elementincludes a processor.
 14. The liquid receptacle of claim 13, wherein theprocessor is configured to receive information from a pressure sensorand determined, based on the information received from the pressuresensor, a volume of liquid in the bottle.
 15. The liquid receptacle ofclaim 13, wherein the processor is configured to receive informationfrom a pressure sensor and determine, based on information received fromthe pressure sensor, a flow rate of fluid entering the bottle.
 16. Theliquid receptacle of claim 1, wherein the pressure senor elementincludes a battery.
 17. A system, comprising: a flange; a manifoldconnectable to the flange and including a connector; a liquid receptacleconnectable to the manifold by the connector and including a hole whichextends through a bottom of the liquid receptacle; and a pressure sensorelement disposed in the bottom of the liquid receptacle, the pressuresensor element including a membrane that includes a valve and seals thehole which extends through the bottom of the liquid receptacle.
 18. Thesystem of claim 17, wherein the membrane provides one of a directcontact system or a closed system.